They got the name Mattel, so the rumor goes, as Colt was manufacturing the weapon.. They subbed out the front stock too Mattel plastics, who was set up to easily make the molds for the stocks..
Hence the mane became Matty Matell's..
Lot has been recorded about the original jamming problems. Once that was straightened out, it was a pretty darn good reliable weapon..
Last visit too Thailand, the Thai Military was still carrying and using them.
Leftovers from the Nam era, I guess..
Still going after all these years..

"Man needs but two things to survive alone in the woods. A blow up female doll and his trusty old AK-47" - Thomas Jefferson 1781

Thanks Tim ! Maybe I'll get a kit to put away just in case I ever do get an interest.
Some day I'm going to tell you about my sister in law who has been soliciting time shares on Daytona beach for near 30 years now & she's still pretty hot.

Brad

" Save a tree...........Eat A Beaver!"

I seldom talk to liberals.............................. But when I do, I order fries............

Wait a minute now. Not so quick Brad, lets talk about her. I always wanted a time share..
My girlfriend calls me "Sugar Daddy" whatever the hell that means.
Any woman comes within 100 yards of the house, she turns into a female Bruce Lee.

God if they ever let importation of those old M-16s.. Their has to be millions of them left behind in the Orient..
In my brief stint at importation. One of the rules was..
"No weapon manufactured by the U.S. if lend leased, or given, shall be allowed back into the U.S." Something like that..
Guess once us taxpayers give em, they do not care anymore.

"Man needs but two things to survive alone in the woods. A blow up female doll and his trusty old AK-47" - Thomas Jefferson 1781

I guess the cost is in the eye of the beholder. You will still need a lower, I think they are about $160 and I would suggest Nodak Spud. I waited about 4 months for my A1 lower but it was worth it. The barrel will be in the $200 range. I bought one a year ago and have been slowly working on it as time allows.
I have always wanted the "Original" and this is as close as I could come to it. To me the $1,000 was worth it.

I don't get along with Sarco very well. I tried again last week on the 1911 stuff. Mail order from website is OK.. Telephone ......not so much. It's like I'm talking to someone from another planet. Probably just me..

" Save a tree...........Eat A Beaver!"

I seldom talk to liberals.............................. But when I do, I order fries............